EU Extends Counter Piracy Mission Off Coast of Somalia

On Friday 23 March 2012 the Council of the European Union
confirmed its intention to extend the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR)
counter-piracy mission, Operation ATLANATA off the Somali coast
until December 2014. At the same time the Council also extended
the area of operations to include Somali coastal territory and
internal waters.

Today's decision will enable Operation Atalanta Forces to work
directly with the Transitional Federal Government and other
Somali entities to support their fight against piracy in the
coastal areas. In accordance with the relevant UN Security
Council resolutions, the Somali government has notified the UN
Secretary General of its acceptance of the EU's offer for this
new collaboration.

Speaking about the extension of the mandate and area of
operations, Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, who is the Operational
Commander of the EU Naval Force, said "The extension of the
mandate until the end of 2014 confirms the EU's commitment to
fighting piracy off the Horn of Africa. Piracy has caused so
much misery to the Somali people and to the crews of ships
transiting the area and it is right that we continue to move
forward in our efforts".